WCPSS AIG & CogAT — Parent FAQs
Key dates for WCPSS families
- Fall 2026: Nominations and screening begin - Schools review student data, accept nominations, and begin AIG screening and referral decisions.
- January–February 2027: Grade 2 CogAT screening - All Grade 2 students participate in districtwide CogAT screening. Students who meet the district screening criteria, or whose families or school team request additional testing, may then take the Iowa Assessment.
- After testing and committee review: Identification decisions - Families receive identification and service decisions from the school's AIG team.
WCPSS had not published a districtwide 2026–27 testing calendar when this guide was prepared. Always confirm exact dates and testing info with your child's school or AIG counselor.
Who Takes the CogAT?
All Grade 2 students take the CogAT as part of universal AIG screening.
Students in other grades may take CogAT after nomination and review by the School-Based Committee for Gifted Education (SBCGE).
Students who meet district screening criteria may also take the Iowa Assessment for additional achievement data.
In some cases, a student may be considered through a portfolio or an individual evaluation rather than the standard group-testing pathway.
How Does AIG Identification Work?
The process generally moves through three stages: nomination, referral, and identification. A nomination can come from a parent, teacher, student, or school data review. The SBCGE then examines available evidence and decides whether additional testing or portfolio review is needed.
After testing and data collection are complete, the committee determines whether the student qualifies as Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG), Academically Gifted (AG), or Intellectually Gifted (IG), and in which subject area services are needed.
For more information, visit the WCPSS Advanced Learning/AIG page.
What Tests Does WCPSS Use?
CogAT: Measures verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning—how students recognize relationships, identify patterns, and solve unfamiliar problems.
Iowa Assessment: Measures academic achievement in areas such as reading and mathematics. It may be administered when the district needs additional achievement evidence.
WCPSS reviews formal test results together with classroom data, grades, work samples, and teacher and parent observations.
What Happens if My Child Is Identified?
Elementary school: Students typically receive differentiated instruction and enrichment through cluster grouping, resource support, and collaboration between the classroom teacher and AIG teacher.
Middle school: Students may access accelerated coursework, compacted mathematics, enrichment electives, and support from AIG specialists.
High school: Students can pursue Honors, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, dual-credit, and other advanced learning pathways.
CogAT Testing Format
The CogAT assesses your child's cognitive development in three key areas: verbal, quantitative, and non-verbal abilities. Rather than focusing on academic knowledge, it evaluates reasoning skills that your child uses to solve problems and think critically.
Note: There are some variances in the testing format for students in grades 3 and up. If your child is in grades 3–5, click on the Level 3–5 tab below to learn more about the test format for those grades.
This section assesses your child's ability to understand and use language. It includes the following three sections:
Picture Analogies
Picture Classification
Sentence Completion
Which CogAT level should my child prepare for?
The CogAT level for each grade is determined by the school district. Based on recommendations from Riverside Insights, the following table shows the typical CogAT level for WCPSS Grade 2 AIG screening:
| Grade | CogAT Level |
|---|---|
| Grade II | Level 8 |
Please confirm the correct CogAT level for your child with WCPSS or your child's school before beginning preparation.
How to Prepare for Wake County CogAT Testing
Help your child prepare for the CogAT by building broad reasoning skills rather than memorizing a single question type.
- Practice verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning.
- Use analogies, classifications, number patterns, matrices, and spatial-reasoning activities.
- Review missed questions so your child understands the reasoning behind the answer.
- Continue building reading and mathematics achievement, since WCPSS may also use Iowa or other academic evidence.
- Use occasional timed practice to build focus, pacing, and confidence.
Practicing daily or every other day makes test-taking second nature to your child
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Quick FAQs
Does Wake County use CogAT? Yes. WCPSS uses CogAT for universal Grade 2 screening and for referred students in other grades.
Does every Grade 2 student take CogAT? Yes. Grade 2 is the district's universal screening year.
Is CogAT the only factor in identification? No. WCPSS also considers achievement data, classroom performance, work samples, and teacher and parent input.
When will my child test? Exact 2026–27 dates have not yet been published districtwide. For referred students, use January-February 2027 as the expected spring testing period and confirm the precise date with your school.
Official WCPSS resources
Last reviewed: 2026-07-31
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AceGiftedTest offers CogAT-style practice across verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal sections so students build familiarity with question formats before WCPSS AIG screening.
Get started with AceGiftedTestCognitive Abilities Test™ (CogAT®) is a registered trademark of Riverside Assessments, LLC. AceGiftedTest and its parent, Lumina Ed, are not affiliated with Riverside Insights, nor is the content on this site promoted or endorsed by Riverside or its affiliates.
AceGiftedTest and its parent company, Lumina Ed, are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Wake County Public School System (WCPSS). AIG identification, CogAT and Iowa Assessment screening, and service placement are set by WCPSS and may change each school year. Families should verify details with their child's school and on official WCPSS websites.